MLB Balk Rule explained: What is a balk?

MLB rules changes have been all the rage this spring. One rule that hasn’t been changed but will be more heavily enforced is the balk. But what is a balk?

Major League Baseball has made some changes this year in order to increase the pace of play, player safety, and overall feel of the game. The pitch clock, bigger bases, and eliminating the defensive shift are are a few of the rules changes that are taking place in 2023.

But another rule that doesn’t garner much attention is the balk. What is it? When is it called? Why is called? And do the umpires even know what it really is? One thing is for sure, MLB is putting a larger emphasis on enforcing the balk rule in 2023. So what does that mean?

MLB rules explained: What is a balk?

There really isn’t a simple way to explain what a balk is other than to say that it’s an infraction on the part of the pitcher that allows him to gain an unfair advantage over the base runner. So, the first thing that can be said about a balk is that it only occurs when there are runners on base.

The rule actually dates back to the 19th century is covered under Section 6.02 (a) of the Official Baseball Rules. There are actually 13 different ways that balk can be called, the most common of which would be the pitchers feinting a throw to home plate without completing the pitch or feinting a throw to first or third base without making a pickoff attempt.

There are certain rules that a pitcher must follow. One of which is coming set before making a pitch. If a pitch fails to do that, it’s a balk. If a pitcher makes an illegal pitch (quick pitch), it’s a balk. If a pitcher throws to an unoccupied base, that’s a balk.

When a balk is called, it becomes a dead-ball situation and any runner currently occupying a base is allowed to advance by one spot. Yes, it can even result in a free run if there’s a runner on third base.

Clear as mud, right? At the end of the day, whatever the umpire deems to be an unnecessary, illegal, or deceptive maneuver on the part of the pitcher can be called a balk.